David Gest has apparently started legal proceedings against the company which coordinated a recent auction of Michael Jackson memorabilia.

The record producer, who was a close friend of Jackson, has sued Julien's Auctions for attaching his name to items it sold shortly after the King of Pop's death in June this year.

Gest told Bang Showbiz: "Julien's Auctions deceived buyers by letting them believe I owned many of these items when I did not. Every individual who purchased items I never owned was falsely duped into thinking they were part of my collection."

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He continued: "Each individual who bought an item I never owned needs to be notified of that fact. This is an act of fraud and I will prove that in court. Julien's Auctions was notified of their wrongdoing by my lawyer Edward Bearman months ago and they did nothing to rectify their actions."

The company is alleged to have falsely claimed that lots such as a signed Jackson Five album and a childhood painting of Jackson's had belonged to Gest. It is believed that Gest could claim up to $1 million (Â£604,000) in damages if his action proves successful.